2000 years of Tradition

Worship at the Westmount Christian Reformed Church draws on 2000 years of tradition and experience within the broader Christian church. Our goal is to blend the best of the rich traditions of the past with the best of contemporary expressions of worship. In doing so, we hope to give each worshipper the opportunity to exercise both mind and heart whenever we come together to know and adore God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 With roots in the sixteenth century, distinctively Reformed worship dates back to John Calvin. Radical at the time, his liturgies introduced the basic principles, as well as some detailed specifics, that we use in Westmount. First and foremost, Reformed worship is characterized by the centrality of the Word of God, given to us in the Bible. This is why the sermon, a teaching from Scripture delivered by an ordained minister, has the premiere place in our services. Other elements are sometimes omitted, but the sermon is always included. We also emphasize the importance of the Word by placing the pulpit in the front and centre of our worship space.

 Other elements that distinguish Reformed worship are the salutation (greeting from God, delivered by the minister), the corporate confession of sin, and the assurance of God's pardon, followed by the reading of Scripture that guides us in thankful living (e.g., the Ten Commandments). With the greater Christian community we confess our faith through the creeds, we pray, we bring an offering, we celebrate the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and we receive God's blessing as we are sent out to serve in our homes, schools and offices.